ATSB report: Family members of MH370 victims hope search will be done in new area

Family members of flight MH370 victims hope that the search for the wreckage of the Malaysia Airlines (MAS) aircraft will be done in a new area.

This followed the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report which said the search area in southern Indian Ocean is not the location of MH370 which vanished on March 8, 2014.

The ATSB first revised report released today said experts have identified an area about 25,000 sq km north of the current search area as the most likely resting place of MH370.

Selamat Omar, 63, the father of passenger Mohd Khairul Amri said the search in southern Indian Ocean was not convincing due to lack of proof that MH370 passed the area.

"There were too many views on the exact location of 370 in the Indian Ocean that it raised doubts. I hope the relevant parties will continue to search for the wreckage regardless of location," he added.

Kelvin Shim, 39, the husband of MH370 flight attendant Tan Ser Kuin said the report raised the question of whether the search and investigation were flawed.

"I would like to know what further action will be taken. Was there something wrong with the equipment used during the investigation, was it because of wrong data or wrong theory?"

Nur Laila Ngah, the wife of steward Wan Swaid Wan Ismail said she could not describe her feelings at the moment but agreed with search efforts by the authorities.

"I will just follow whatever they say. I have no choice but at the same time, I have already accepted the fate of my husband.

"It has been nearly three years now, the aircraft has yet to be found and they have not once, but twice searched in the wrong area," she added.

Meanwhile, Maizura Intan Othman,36, the wife of steward Mohd Hazrin Hasnan urged the authorities to provide accurate information on the search operation for MH370 to the families of victims.

"I am not sure who is actually responsible for the search operation. As a Muslim, I accept what happened, but those responsible should provide accurate information on the search operation," she added.

Flight MH370 went missing while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 passengers and crew. -Bernama